Charges Cut Against Suspected Gun Supplier

December 08, 1999

The man prosecutors allege supplied the gun used to kill Chicago Police Officer Michael Ceriale in August 1998 had one charge dropped and several others reduced Tuesday because of last week's decision by the Illinois Supreme Court to strike down the 4-year-old Safe Neighborhoods Act.

James Jackson, 24, of the 3800 block of South Federal Street appeared Tuesday before Criminal Court Judge Gilbert Grossi, who dismissed a gunrunning charge and reduced five unlawful use of a weapon charges to misdemeanors, said Bob Benjamin, spokesman for the Cook County state's attorney's office.

The Safe Neighborhoods Act created several new crimes, including gunrunning, and increased the penalties of several other crimes. "What happened today was a direct result of the (Supreme Court) decision," Benjamin said. "(Four) years of good consequences for public safety are lost here."